When Americans Answered the Call

If this content resonates with you, share your thoughts in the comments below.

As the last “amen” was said and the piano began to play last Sunday, I quickly gathered my children’s belongings from the pew and headed toward the church door. Normally, I stick around to fellowship, but I was in a hurry to get home and prepare for my mother’s 70th birthday party. As I passed them by, I explained to my church family why I was in such a rush. They immediately replied, “Congratulations!” or “Tell her happy birthday. We are so proud of this big milestone!”

In a society where aging is often feared and considered “ugly,” and everyone seems to be searching for a way to age backward, it is almost strange to hear such excitement over someone turning 70. But as we approach the 25th anniversary of 9/11, I find myself realizing more than ever what a precious gift life truly is.

Many of the victims of that terrible day would have been around my mother’s age this year. For instance, firefighter Raymond R. York, a devoted husband and dedicated father, should have also celebrated his 70th birthday this year. Sadly, more than 470 victims were robbed of ever turning 30, and 8 innocent children never even experienced their 16th birthday.

As we grieve the lives stolen by terrorists and remember the heroes who laid down their lives for others, we should also commemorate those who survived and the humble heroes who worked tirelessly to save those around them.

For those of us who experienced it, we vividly recall the evil and devastation of September 11, but the bravery of ordinary Americans that day is just as worthy of our attention - and far more deserving of it than the cowards who attacked our nation. Heroism came in many forms that Tuesday and in the days that followed. Ordinary people ran toward danger instead of away from it. Strangers stopped running for their own lives to carry the wounded slowly. First responders charged into burning buildings. Countless Americans gave their time, strength, and even their lives without expecting recognition or reward.

This is what sets Americans apart.

Though our nation is not without flaws, American patriots have risen to the occasion since its founding when their neighbors needed them most. When Americans who truly love their nation come together for a common goal and the good of the people, nothing can stand in their way.

September 11 not only reminds us of what we lost, but also of what we are capable of when we choose courage over fear, sacrifice over selfishness, and unity over division.

One excellent example is the Great Boatlift of 9/11.

After the towers were attacked, thousands of people fled toward the water’s edge, only to realize they were trapped. The water was their only option to seek safety. Ferries began carrying people away from the destruction. When the towers collapsed, all bridges and tunnels were shut down, and thousands more panicked people made their way to the waterfront, where they waited for a way out.

Overwhelmed by the sea of humanity pleading to escape, Coast Guard Lt. Michael Day issued a call, “All available boats…Anyone wanting to help with the evacuation of Lower Manhattan report to Governors Island.”

Within a short time, the harbor was filled with boats of all kinds, including fishing boats, party boats, NYPD harbor units, fireboats, tugboats, private boats, and ferries. More than 100 vessels ultimately participated in the effort, forming an unlikely civilian armada. These were not soldiers following a battle plan. They were mariners, captains, crews, and ordinary citizens who saw people in desperate need and chose to help.

Terrified people waited for hours along the waterfront for a way out. The boats worked continually, transporting people across the harbor. According to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, in less than nine hours, an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 people were evacuated from Lower Manhattan - the largest waterborne evacuation in American history.

Although it is one of the lesser-known stories of September 11, the Great Boatlift echoes another remarkable rescue from history: the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II. In 1940, more than 338,000 Allied troops were evacuated from Dunkirk as German forces advanced. Civilian vessels joined the military effort and became known as the “Little Ships of Dunkirk.”

Dunkirk was a military evacuation of soldiers trapped by an advancing army, while the 9/11 Boatlift was a civilian evacuation of people trapped by a terrorist attack. Yet, both demonstrated what can happen when ordinary people see their fellow man in danger and choose to act.

For the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Great American Media has produced an award-winning 17-minute historical drama inspired by Jessica DuLong’s book, Saved at the Seawall. The film, Boatlift 9/11, tells the story through a mother-and-daughter team aboard a tugboat in New York Harbor the moment the attacks begin. Instead of turning away from the danger, they head toward Battery Park after seeing the crowds of stranded survivors. Although their tugboat was not designed to carry hundreds of passengers, smoke and debris created an increasingly dangerous situation, and the mother faced an agonizing choice. The film highlights the courage and selflessness of the many mariners who answered the call without hesitation.

As parents teach their children about the tragedy of September 11, stories such as the Great Boatlift, along with films such as Boatlift 9/11 (exclusively streaming on Great American Pure Flix), can help them understand that day through more than the lens of horror. They can see the courage of ordinary Americans who chose to serve, sacrifice, and save others when their country was under attack.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about September 11 is not only all that we lost, but all that Americans were willing to give.

We lost lives and a sense of security that morning. But we also witnessed courage, compassion, sacrifice, and unity on a scale we should never forget. September 11 reminds us that life is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted, but treasured, protected, and used to bless others while we have it.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12).

Please Note: We moderate all reader comments, usually within 24 hours of posting (longer on weekends). Please limit your comment to 300 words or less and ensure it addresses the content. Comments that contain a link (URL), an inordinate number of words in ALL CAPS, rude remarks directed at the author or other readers, or profanity/vulgarity will not be approved.